35 Reasons to love 35mm Film

Film truly is a Photographer’s best friend - And to prove it, here are 35 reasons to love 35mm film (or any kind of film for that matter!).

(1) It lasts – Love it or hate it, looking through your Gran’s photos from way back when is irrefutable proof of film’s durability. (2) It’s spontaneous – Golden Rule Number 6. ‘Don’t Think (William Firebrace’) (3) It’s reliable (4) It’s classy. Nothing beats black and white film photography for the look of effortless cool. (5) It’s traditional – Analogue is where it started and Analogue is where it’s at! (6) It’s easy – Remember, ‘Point and shoot’ started with analogue!(7) It’s tangible – The feel of that print in your hands. Hold it, touch it, you made that photo.(8) It’s genuine (9) Analogue photography is all about getting emotional and emulsional.

(10) 35mm Film gives vibrant colours(11) 35mm Film gives better colours(12) Film photography is artistic.(13) Film photography is sexy (14) Film photography is safe – Your less likely to get mobbed walking down the street holding your Fisheye than your hyper-whiz digicam. Fact.(15) The accuracy – Digital interpolates (guesses). Film knows. (16) The sharp focus (17) The natural colours (if you want them!) (18) Once you’ve taken a photo you move on. Next frame please!(19) When it works, it’s a miracle. When it doesn’t work, it somehow still works. Those blurry photos still get stuck on the fridge because they have CHARACTER!(20) No L.C.D. screen. So no Life Consuming Distractions.(21) When you take an analogue photo, you are in the moment.(22) All the benefits of digital (if you want them!)

(23) Happy accidents are priceless.(24) Slower is better – Analogue Photography might take some time but it takes time to create things which will last and be valued. (25)THEHOLYGRAIN – Film photography shows grain. Digital photography will never be able to show grain because it has no film to show grain on.(26) Digital is forgettable – Photo goes on your computer, gets lost in ‘My Pictures’ never to be see again. (27) The dynamic range. Film is better at capturing those little details. (28) Film doesn’t get viruses!(29) Control – Choose your film, choose your aperture, choose your shutter speed etc (30) That feeling of anticipation you get when you go to collect your roll.(31) The physical link – Your photo isn’t made up of 0’s and 1’s, it’s made from light hitting film – so it’s, like, made from the WORLD man (sorry, it’s the hippy in me).(32) The learning process – Some people say film photography is harder. It’s not. It just teaches you more. (33) Sprockets! – You won’t see these bad boys in digital, they are all about the analogue.(34) Film is better for those loooooooooooooong exposures.(35) The reward

1. You can buy vintage film equipment for a fraction of their modern equivalents
2. People respond better, and are more willing to have their picture taken with a classic vintage or toy camera, than having a huge-modern SLR.
3. There is a reason why film directors give actors vintage SLR's...it give their characters depth and substance (like you).
4. If you're spending time in photoshop trying to make your digital prints look retro and analogue, cut out the middle-man and shoot the real thing instead?
5. Shooting film is personal
6. If you're less worried with how the image is going to come out, you'll be more willing to experiment.
7. Cross processing makes cloudy days interesting.
8. Film is stealthy
9. Zone focusing means never having to look through the viewfinder to get a great shot
10. Toy cameras are cute
11. Instead of shooting the same object 50 times then choosing the best one, film encourages you to make that one shot perfect.
12. Shooting film will get you respect from your grandparents
13. Multiple exposure is something you can do in-camera
14. Shooting Film is a choice

Great article. I agree with a few on here but put forth initially by disasterarea, both media have advantages and disadvantages. When I'm shooting a product shot for work, I do not want dreamy and wild colours. I want exactly what I see . . . and I need to have it ready yesterday. Having said that, I have only 2 digital cameras, but my collection of Lomographic, vintage and toy film cameras is at 7 and growing. Now, if only I had a photolab in my basement.

Seeing that we love to spread the cheer around here, we're giving you another chance to load up on our awesome film with today's Advent deal! Choose a classy black and white film, like our Lady Grey, or get creative and colorful with one of our Redscale films. We're certain that no matter what you choose, you'll have a great time making memories with tons of lovely analogue photos this year!

New York is full of interesting people. Everywhere you look you, will find good-looking, smart, and powerful characters; models, actresses, entrepreneurs, managers, artists. Because of this sometimes it can be a little intimidating for a regular guy in the Big Apple to step up, talk to the girl you like, or make new friends. So here are a few tips, courtesy of the Lomo'Instant, that will help you to break the ice.

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An analogue camera inspired by Tara Mcpherson, A highly recommended gear for Lomography beginners and visual art lovers! With this edition see how Tara Mcpherson’s art joins the world of analogue cameras. Get it now for a special price!

Exposing the film sprockets is one of the best ways to add a funky touch to your photos. However, this black and white landscape snapshot by mafiosa proves that these sprockets can give an elegant and classy feel, too!

If you'd be shooting in low light, at night, or in any other situation that would require a high speed film for best results, why don't you try the Lomography Color Negative 800 for 35mm cameras? Allow five of our community members to convince you with their respective reviews in this installment of Reviews on Rewind.

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Really want to bring your film photos to life? We’re now offering totally analogue fine art prints in a host of large sizes and formats! Carefully enlarged from your negatives onto premium photographic paper by lab professionals, each picture is a unique piece of craftsmanship.

Unfortunately, it happens sometimes that your resulting pictures are not what you expected - the image doesn't look that good, the colors are bland, and the subject is banal. Indeed, it couldn't be picture of the year! Herein I propose a second chance for your pictures by modifying your 35mm negatives. Just pick up some ideas from here, experiment, and scan your negatives with the Lomography Smartphone Scanner. Anything is possible: burning, scratching, putting on hydrochloric acid, balsamic vinegar, nail polish, bleach, or raspberry juice... use your imagination and write down your new film soup recipe! You can find a sample of the effects in this article.

Did you miss this year's Film Photography Day celebration? Here's a recap of all the events that happened in April, in honor of our love for analogue photography. Of course, remember that you can always make any day a Film Photography Day if you wish; just gather your friends and organize a LomoMatrix in your area! For inspiration, check out what Lomography Gallery Stores and Lomography Embassy Stores from all over the world came up with.

LomoChrome Purple is one of the Community's most sought-after emulsions. With its ability to turn any mundane snapshot into surreal, dreamlike image, we cannot truly blame you for loving it way too much!

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The brazilian summer inspired camera is now at 20% off! You can now celebrate life in full color and treasure every culture in a snap! This summer is no exception; make sure you’re prepared to capture all the sporty action with the Fisheye No.2 Brazilian Summer Camera!

Lubitel for lovers+. You're probably wondering, "Why is there a '+'?" It's to describe and expand a whole new definition of the Lubitel - in this case, this camera is not only for lovers literally, but also for anyone who loves to shoot portraits, street scenes, objects, and the skies. Do you love to take photos of your lover, your dear friend, your lovely family, your pet, or at the streets? This camera can be used in ALL situations. You can shoot everything that you love with it!

There are certain types of photographs that we lomographers just can't get enough of no matter how much we've already taken them. The silhouette is one of them, and the staggering number of such photographs that can be found in the alone community is a strong proof of its popularity.

Here’s a random and rather mysterious tale for you folks. Just the other day, I was at a local bar with a few friends. It was much like any other evening; we were sipping a couple of cocktails, recounting our adventures, falling over ourselves with laughter and half-drunkenly meditating on the meaning of life (a scientist once told me it’s 42 by the way). But then something truly strange happened. Read on to hear my story and please make a comment with your guess at the end!